Herb and/or Essential Oil Benefits:
Bilberry: cardiovascular health; antioxidant; eye health; and more.
Cinnamon: diabetes and hypercholesterolemia management; stress management; pain management; antimicrobial; antioxidant; heart health; and more.
Clove: antioxidant; antimicrobial; digestive system health; anti-carcinogenic; liver protection; stress management; pain management; and more.
Echinacea: immune system health; cell health; and more.
Elderberry: immune system health; antioxidant; cardiovascular health; digestive aid; and more.
Frankincense: immune health; antimicrobial; stress management; liver health; anti-inflammatory benefits; pain management; and more.
Garlic: liver health; prebiotic; immune system health; blood pressure management; cholesterol management; and more.
Ginger: digestive aid; anti-inflammatory; bone health; and more.
Lavender: antioxidant; nervous system health; antiseptic; and more.
Lemon: stress relief; immune system health; pH balance; respiratory health; and more. Lemongrass: central nervous system health; digestive system health; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; cholesterol management; and more.
Milk Thistle: liver health; brain health; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; and more.
Myrrh: immune health; pain management; digestive health; antimicrobial; antiviral; antiseptic; limbic system effects; purifying; and more.
Oregano: antibiotic; antioxidant; antifungal; antiparasitic; and more.
Peppermint: digestive aid; immune system health; pain management; and more. Rosemary: blood circulation; brain health; immune system health; pain relief; and more. Tea Tree: antimicrobial; antiviral; antiseptic; insect repellent; and more.
Thyme: antispasmodic; antirheumatic; disinfectant; immune system health; heart health; antibacterial; and more.
Healthy Tea Recipes and Herbal Formulas
Healthy Fall and Winter Tea:
2 teaspoons sage
Juice of 1 lemon
1/16 teaspoon (pinch) cayenne pepper
Optional ~ 1 tablespoon or to taste sweetener
Add sage to cup; pour 1 cup boiling water over sage; steep for 10 minutes; strain; add remaining ingredients. Enjoy!
Any Thyme Tea with Cinnamon:
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ cinnamon stick
Optional ~ sweetener (to taste)
Add thyme and cinnamon stick to cup; pour 1 cup boiling water into cup; steep 10 – 15 minutes; strain; sweeten (optional). Enjoy!
Healthy Ginger Tea with Lemon:
1 chunk (inch) sliced ginger
Juice ½ lemon
Optional ~ sweetener (to taste)
Add ginger and 4 cups of water to pot; bring to boil; simmer 10-15 minutes; strain; add lemon juice; sweeten (optional). Enjoy!
Herb Notes:
Adaptogen: a substance that helps the body manage stress
Analgesic: a substance that relieves pain
Anodyne: a substance that relieves pain
Antibacterial: a substance that prevents the growth or spread of bacteria
Antibiotic: a substance that inhibits or destroys microorganisms
Anticatarrhal: a substance that prevents, reduces, or eliminates catarrhal
Anticoagulant: a substance that slows or prevents blood clotting
Antifungal: a substance that inhibits or destroys fungi
Anti-inflammatory: a substance that reduces inflammation
Antimicrobial: a substance that inhibits or destroys microorganisms
Antiseptic: a substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms; a substance that prevents the decay of cells
Antiviral: a substance that destroys or inhibits viruses
Aromatherapy: therapeutic use of plant-derived, concentrated aromatic essential oils to promote holistic health
Bitter Tonic: a substance that increases gastric secretions, stimulates appetite, and improves digestion
Carminative: a substance that relieves flatulence
Choleretic: a substance that stimulates bile production by the liver
Diaphoretic: a substance that induces perspiration
Diuretic: a substance that increases urine
Expectorant: a substance that promotes the discharge of phlegm/other fluids from the respiratory tract
Febrifuge: a substance that reduces fever
Hepatic: a substance that promotes the health of the liver
Herb: a plant with roots, leaves, seeds, flowers used for medicine, food, flavoring, or aroma
Hypnotic Herbs: herbs that calm the nervous system; herbs that induce a deep healing state of sleep
Hypotensive: a substance that lowers blood pressure
Immunostimulant: a substance that stimulates an immune response
Infusion: a remedy prepared by soaking the leaves of a plant in a hot or cold liquid
Lymphatic: a substance that increases lymphatic flow; blood purifier
Mucilaginous: a substance that is viscous, gelatinous and/or sticky
Nutritive: a substance that provides nutrition
Purgative: a substance that stimulates stomach and intestines; bowel cleansing agent Stimulant: a substance that increases physiological activity
Tincture: a concentrated alcohol infused herbal extract
Herbs and Aromatherapy with Nina Bazemore
Essential oils are the highly concentrated oils stored in the fruits, seeds, flowers, barks, stems, roots, leaves or other parts of a plant for different purposes. Essential oils stored in the root, leaf, or bark are used by the plant as a defense mechanism. Essential oils stored in the resin are used by the plant for healing. Essential oils stored in the flower or fruit are used by the plant to attract pollinators. Essential oils are used by plants for communication purposes. High quality organic essential oils also have a very high vibrational frequency when used in aromatherapy and other modalities.
So, when you’re ready to create an aromatherapy blend, here are a few things to consider. What aromas attract you? What is the purpose of the blend? How will the blend be used? Who will be using the blend? Are there any health issues to consider? Are there any medication interactions to consider? Are your essential oils therapeutic? After you’ve answered these questions to your satisfaction, consider the following information. Please note that there are no strict guidelines regarding essential oil blends ~ personal preference and inspiration are usually the determining factors. However, general standards should be considered for safety purposes, as well as better outcomes.
It is generally recommended that you use 2 – 5 essential oils per blend as follows:
Base Note EO = 1 drop/added first/evaporates last
Heart Note EO = 2 drops/added second/essence of blend after top fades
Top Note EO = 3 drops/added last/evaporates first
~ OR ~
Base Note = 20% (Frankincense, Myrrh, Spikenard)
Heart Note = 50% (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Tea Tree)
Top Note = 30% (Hyssop, Mint oils, Citrus oils)
Blends need to be added to carrier oils/diluted and allowed to sit for approximately 24 hours before using.
A few herb/essential oil families to consider:
Earthy/Woodsy
Citrus
Floral
Spicy
Sweet
To your health,
Nina
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